← 三Sān国Guó演Yǎn义Yì · Romance of the Three Kingdoms

第dì二èr十shí三sān回huí 祢mí正zhèng平píng裸luǒ衣yī骂mà贼zéi　　　吉jí太tài医yī下xià毒dú遭zāo刑xíng

23-1

却què说shuō曹cáo操cāo欲yù斩zhǎn刘liú岱dài、王wáng忠zhōng。孔kǒng融róng谏jiàn曰yuē：「二èr人rén本běn非fēi刘liú备bèi敌dí手shǒu，若ruò斩zhǎn之zhī，恐kǒng失shī将jiàng士shì之zhī心xīn。」操cāo乃nái免miǎn其qí死sǐ，黜chù罢bà爵jué禄lù，欲yù自zì起qǐ兵bīng伐fá玄xuán德dé。孔kǒng融róng曰yuē：「方fāng今jīn隆lóng冬dōng盛shèng寒hán，未wèi可kě动dòng兵bīng；待dài来lái春chūn未wèi为wèi晚wán也yě。可kě先xiān使shǐ人rén招zhāo安ān张zhāng绣xiù、刘liú表biǎo，然rán后hòu再zài图tú徐xú州zhōu。」操cāo然rán其qí言yán，先xiān遣qiǎn刘liú晔yè往wǎng说shuō张zhāng绣xiù。

At the close of the last chapter the two unsuccessful leaders Liu and Wang were in danger of death. However, one of the advisers, K‘ung Jung, remonstrated with Tsʻao saying, “You knew these two were no match for Liu Pei and if you put them to death because they failed you will lose the hearts of your men.” Wherefore the death sentence was not executed but they were deprived of rank and status. Tsʻao next proposed to lead an army himself to attack Liu Pei, but the weather was too inclement. So it was settled to await the return of spring. In the interval there would be time to arrange peace with Chang Hsiu and Liu Piao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-2

晔yè至zhì襄xiāng城chéng，先xiān见jiàn贾jiá诩xǔ，陈chén说shuō曹cáo公gōng盛shèng德dé。诩xú乃nǎi留liú晔yè于yú家jiā中zhōng。

Wherefore Liu Yeh was sent to the former of these and in due time reached Hsiangchʻêng. He first had an interview with Chia Hsü, whereat he dwelt upon Tsʻao’s virtues so that Hsü was impressed, kept him as a guest and undertook to smooth his way.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-3

次cì日rì来lái见jiàn张zhāng绣xiù说shuō曹cáo公gōng遣qiǎn刘liú晔yè招zhāo安ān之zhī事shì。正zhèng议yì间jiān忽hū报bào袁yuán绍shào有yóu使shǐ至zhì。绣xiù命mìng入rù。使shí者zhě呈chéng上shàng书shū信xìn。绣xiù览lǎn之zhī亦yì是shì招zhāo安ān之zhī意yì。诩xǔ问wèn来lái使shǐ曰yuē「近jìn日rì兴xīng兵bīng破pò曹cáo操cāo胜shèng负fù如rú何hé」使shǐ曰yuē「隆lóng冬dōng寒hán月yuè权quán且qiě罢bà兵bīng。今jīn以yǐ将jiāng军jūn与yǔ荆jīng州zhōu刘liú表biǎo俱jù有yǒu国guó士shì之zhī风fēng故gù来lái相xiāng请qíng耳ěr。」

Soon after he saw Chang Hsiu and spoke of the advantages of coming to terms with Tsʻao Tsʻao. While the discussion was in progress a messenger from Yüan Shao was announced and he was called in. He presented letters and, when they also proposed terms of peace, Chia Hsü asked what their success had been lately against Tsʻao. “The war had ceased for the moment on account of the winter,” replied the messenger. “As you, General, and Liu Piao are both well reputed officers of the State, I have been sent to request your help.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-4

诩xǔ大dà笑xiào曰yuē「汝rú可kě回huí见jiàn本běn初chū道dào『汝rǔ兄xiōng弟dì尚shàng不bù能néng容róng何hé能néng容róng天tiān下xià国guó士shì乎hū」』当dāng麺miàn扯chě碎suì书shū叱chì退tuì来lái使shǐ。张zhāng绣xiù曰yuē「方fāng今jīn袁yuán强qiáng曹cáo弱ruò今jīn毁huǐ书shū叱chì使shǐ袁yuán绍shào若ruò至zhì当dāng如rú之zhī何hé」诩xǔ曰yuē「不bù如rú去qù从cóng曹cáo操cāo。」绣xiù曰yuē「吾wú先xiān与yǔ操cāo有yǒu雠chóu安ān得dé相xiāng容róng」

Chia Hsü laughed, “You can return to your master and say that as he could not brook rivalry of his brother he certainly would be sorely put to it with that of all the officers of the State.” The letter was torn into fragments before the messenger’s face and he was angrily bidden begone. “But his master, Yüan Shao, is stronger than Tsʻao Tsʻao,” protested Chang Hsiu. “You have torn up his letter and are dismissing his man. What shall we say about such an insult should Yüan Shao come?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-5

诩xǔ曰yuē「从cóng操cāo其qí便biàn有yǒu三sān夫fū曹cáo公gōng奉fèng天tiān子zi明míng诏zhào征zhēng伐fá天tiān下xià其qí宜yí从cóng一yī也yě绍shào强qiáng盛shèng我wó以yí少shǎo从cóng之zhī必bì不bù以yí我wǒ为wèi重zhòng操cāo虽suī弱ruò得dé我wǒ必bì喜xǐ其qí宜yí从cóng二èr也yě曹cáo公gōng王wáng霸bà之zhī志zhì必bì释shì私sī怨yuàn以yǐ明míng德dé于yú四sì海hǎi其qí宜yí从cóng三sān也yě。愿yuàn将jiāng军jūn无wú疑yí焉yān。」

“Better join hands with Tsʻao Tsʻao,” said Chia Hsü. “But there is still between us an unavenged enmity, we could not suffer each other.” Chia Hsü said, “There are three advantages in joining hands with Tsʻao. First, he has a command from the Emperor to restore peace. Secondly, as Yüan Shao is so strong our little help to him will be despised, while we shall loom large and be well treated by Tsʻao Tsʻao. Thirdly, Tsʻao is going to be Chief of the Feudal Lords and he will ignore all private feuds in order to show his magnanimity to all the world. I hope, General, you will see these things clearly and hesitate no longer.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-6

绣xiù从cóng其qí言yán请qǐng刘liú晔yè相xiāng见jiàn。晔yè盛shèng称chēng操cāo德dé且qiě曰yuē「丞chéng相xiàng若ruò记jì旧jiù怨yuàn安ān肯kén使shí某mǒu来lái结jié好hǎo将jiāng军jūn乎hū」绣xiù大dà喜xǐ即jí同tóng贾jiá诩xú等děng赴fù许xǔ都dōu投tóu降xiáng。绣xiù见jiàn操cāo拜bài于yú阶jiē下xià。操cāo忙máng扶fú起qǐ执zhí其qí手shǒu曰yuē「有yóu小xiǎo过guò失shī勿wù记jì于yú心xīn。」遂suì封fēng绣xiù为wèi扬yáng武wǔ将jiàng军jūn封fēng贾jiá诩xǔ为wèi执zhí金jīn吾wú使shǐ。操cāo即jí命mìng绣xiù作zuò书shū招zhāo安ān刘liú表biǎo。

Chang Hsiu, now convinced, became more reasonable and recalled the messenger, who, at the interview, extolled the many virtues of his master. “If the Minister had any thought of the old quarrel he would hardly have sent me to make friendly engagements: would he?” said he at the last. So Chang and his adviser proceeded to the capital where formal submission was made. At the interview the visitor bowed low at the steps, but Tsʻao Tsʻao, hastening forward, took him by the hand and raised him saying, “Forget that little fault of mine, I pray you.” Chang Hsiu received the title of Yang-wu General (“Prowess-in-War” General) and Chia Hsü that of Chih Chin-wu (Controller of the Ways). Tsʻao then directed his secretaries to draft letters inviting the support of Liu Piao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-7

贾jiá诩xǔ进jìn曰yuē：「刘liú景jǐng升shēng好hǎo结jié纳nà名míng流liú，今jīn必bì得děi一yī有yǒu文wén名míng之zhī士shì往wǎng说shuō之zhī，方fāng可kě降jiàng耳ěr。」操cāo问wèn荀xún攸yōu曰yuē：「谁shuí人rén可kě去qù？」攸yōu曰yuē：「孔kǒng文wén举jú可kě当dāng其qí任rèn。」

Chia Hsü said, “Liu Ching-shêng loves to have to do with famous people. If some famous scholar should be sent to him he would submit forthwith.” So Tsʻao enquired of Hsün Yu who was the best man to go as a messenger and he recommended K‘ung Jung. Tsʻao agreed and sent him to speak with this officer. So he went to K‘ung, saying, “A scholar of reputation is required to act as a messenger of State; can you undertake this task?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-8

操cāo然rán之zhī。攸yōu出chū见jiàn孔kǒng融róng曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng欲yù得dé一yī有yǒu文wén名míng之zhī士shì，以yǐ备bèi行xíng人rén之zhī选xuǎn。公gōng可kě当dāng此cǐ任rèn否fǒu？」融róng曰yuē：「吾wú友yǒu祢mí衡héng，字zì正zhèng平píng，其qí才cái十shí倍bèi于yú我wǒ。此cǐ人rén宜yí在zài帝dì左zuǒ右yòu，不bú但dàn可kě备bèi行xíng人rén而ér已yǐ。我wǒ当dāng荐jiàn之zhī天tiān子zi。」于yú是shì遂suì上shàng表biǎo奏zòu帝dì。其qí文wén曰yuē：

Kʻung Jung replied, “I have a certain friend, Mi Hêng, whose talents are ten times mine. He ought to be constantly at the Court of the Emperor and not merely be sent as a State messenger. I will recommend him to the Emperor.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-9

臣chén闻wén洪hóng水shuǐ横héng流liú，帝dì思sī俾bǐ乂yì；旁páng求qiú四sì方fāng，以yǐ招zhāo贤xián俊jùn。昔xī世shì宗zōng继jì统tǒng，将jiāng弘hóng基jī业yè；畴chóu谘zī熙xī载zài，群qún士shì响xiǎng臻zhēn。陛bì下xià叡ruì圣shèng，纂zuǎn承chéng基jī绪xù，遭zāo遇yù厄è运yùn，劳láo谦qiān日rì昃zè；维wéi岳yuè降jiàng神shén，异yì人rén并bìng出chū。窃qiè见jiàn处chǔ士shì平píng原yuán祢mí衡héng：年nián二èr十shí四sì，字zì正zhèng平píng，淑shū质zhì贞zhēn亮liàng，英yīng才cái卓zhuó砾lì；初chū涉shè艺yì文wén，升shēng堂táng睹dǔ奥ào。

So he wrote the following memorial:— “In ancient days, when the great waters were abroad, the Emperor pondered over their regulation and he sought out men of talent from all directions. In old time, when the Emperor Wu of the Hans desired to enlarge his borders, crowds of scholars responded to his call. “Intelligent and holy, Your Majesty ascended the throne. You have fallen upon evil days, but have been diligent, modest and untiring in your efforts. Now the great mountains have sent forth spirits and men of genius appear. “I, your humble servant, know of a certain simple scholar, Mi Hêng by name, of P‘ingyüan, a young man of twenty-four. His moral character is excellent, his talents eminent. As a youth he took a high place in study and penetrated the most secret arcana of learning. What he glanced at he could repeat, what he heard once he never forgot. He is naturally high principled and his thoughts are divine. Hung-yang’s mental calculations and An-shih’s mnemonical feats compared with Mi Hêng’s powers are no longer wonderful. Loyal, sincere, correct and straight-forward, his ambition is unsullied. He regards the good with trembling respect, he detests the evil with uncompromising hatred. Jên Tso in unflinching candour, Shih Yü in severe rectitude, never surpassed him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-10

目mù所suǒ一yī见jiàn，辄zhé诵sòng之zhī口kǒu；耳ér所suǒ暂zàn闻wén，不bú忘wàng于yú心xīn。性xìng与yǔ道dào合hé，思sī若ruò有yǒu神shén。弘hóng羊yáng潜qián计jì，安ān世shì默mò识shí，以yǐ衡héng准zhǔn之zhī，诚chéng不bù足zú怪guài。忠zhōng果guǒ正zhèng直zhí，志zhì怀huái霜shuāng雪xuě；见jiàn善shàn若ruò惊jīng，嫉jí𫫇ě若ruò雠chóu。任rèn座zuò抗kàng行xíng，史shǐ鱼yú厉lì节jié，殆dài无wú以yǐ过guò也yě。鸷zhì鸟niǎo累lèi百bǎi，不bù如rú一yī鹗è。使shǐ衡héng立lì朝cháo，必bì有yóu可kě观guān，飞fēi辩biàn聘pìn词cí，溢yì气qì坌bèn涌yǒng；

“Hundreds of hawks are not worth one osprey. If Mi Hêng be given a Court appointment notable results must follow. Ready in debate, rapid in utterance, his overwhelming intelligence wells up in profusion; in the solution of doubts and the unravelling of difficulties he has no peer.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-11

解jiě疑yí释shì结jié，临lín敌dí有yǒu余yú。

“Hundreds of hawks are not worth one osprey. If Mi Hêng be given a Court appointment notable results must follow. Ready in debate, rapid in utterance, his overwhelming intelligence wells up in profusion; in the solution of doubts and the unravelling of difficulties he has no peer.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-12

昔xī贾jiǎ谊yì求qiú试shì属shǔ国guó，诡guǐ系xì单chán于yú；终zhōng军jūn欲yù以yǐ长cháng缨yīng，牵qiān制zhì劲jìn越yuè；弱ruò冠guàn慷kāng慨kǎi，前qián世shì美měi之zhī；近jìn日rì路lù粹cuì、严yán象xiàng，亦yì用yòng异yì才cái，擢zhuó拜bài台tái郎láng：衡héng宜yí与yǔ为wèi比bǐ。如rú龙lóng跃yuè天tiān衢qú，振zhèn翼yì云yún汉hàn，扬yáng声shēng紫zǐ微wēi，垂chuí光guāng虹hóng蜺ní，足zú以yǐ昭zhāo近jìn署shǔ之zhī多duō士shì，增zēng四sì门mén之zhī穆mù穆mù。钧jūn天tiān广guǎng乐yuè，必bì有yǒu奇qí丽lì之zhī观guān；帝dì室shì王wáng居jū，必bì蓄xù非fēi常cháng之zhī宝bǎo。

“Hsün Yü and Hsün Yu, Kuo Chia and Ch‘êng Yü are all men of profound skill and long views, superior to Hsiao Ho and Ch‘ên P‘ing; Chang Liao and Hsü Chu, Li Tien and Yo Chin are bravest of the brave, better than Tsên P‘êng and Ma Wu. Lü Ch‘ien and Man Ch‘ung are my secretaries, Yü Chin and Hsü Huang are my van-leaders; Hsiahou Tun is one of the world’s marvels and Ts‘ao Tzŭ-hsiao is the most successful leader of the age. Now say you there are not the men?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-13

若ruò衡héng等děng辈bèi，不bù可kě多duō得dé。《激jī楚chǔ》、《阳yáng阿ā》，至zhì妙miào之zhī容róng，掌zhǎng伎jì者zhě之zhī所suǒ贪tān；飞fēi兔tù、騕yáo褭niǎo，绝jué足zú奔bēn放fàng，良liáng、乐lè之zhī所suǒ急jí也yě。臣chén等děng区qū区qū，敢gǎn不bù以yǐ闻wén？升shēng下xià笃dǔ慎shèn取qǔ士shì，必bì须xū效xiào试shì，乞qǐ令lìng衡héng以yǐ褐hè衣yī召zhào见jiàn。如rú无wú可kě观guān釆biàn，臣chén等děng受shòu麺miàn欺qī之zhī罪zuì。

“In former days Chia I begged to be sent on trial to a vassal State to be responsible for the arrest of Shan Yü; Chung Chün offered to bring the Prince of Nanyüeh as with a pair of long reins. The generous conduct of these youths has been much admired. In our day Lu Tsui and Yen Hsiang, remarkable for their talents, have been appointed among the secretaries. And Mi Hêng is no less capable. Should he be got, then all possibilities may be realised; the dragon may curvet through the celestial streets and soar along the Milky Way; fame will extend to the poles of the universe and hang in the firmament with rainbow glory. He would be the glory of all the present Ministers and enhance the majesty of the Palace itself. The air Chun-t‘ien will acquire new beauties and the Palace will contain an excellent treasure. Men like Mi Hêng are but few. As in the recitation of Chi-ch‘u and the singing of Yang-o the most skilful performers are sought, and such fleet horses as Fei-t‘u and Yao-miao were looked for by the famous judges of horses, Wang Liang and Pai Lo, so I, the humble one, dare not conceal this man. Your Majesty is careful in the selection of servants and should try him. Let him be summoned as he is, simply clad in his serge dress, and should he not appear worthy then may I be punished for the fault of deception.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-14

帝dì览lán表biǎo，以yǐ付fù曹cáo操cāo。操cāo遂suì使shǐ人rén召zhào衡héng至zhì。礼lǐ毕bì，操cāo不bú命mìng坐zuò。祢mí衡héng仰yǎng天tiān叹tàn曰yuē：「天tiān地dì虽suī阔kuò，何hé无wú一yī人rén也yě！」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú手shǒu下xià有yǒu数shù十shí人rén，皆jiē当dāng世shì英yīng雄xióng，何hé谓wèi无wú人rén？」衡héng曰yuē：「愿yuàn闻wén。」操cāo曰yuē：「荀xún彧yù、荀xún攸yōu、郭guō嘉jiā、程chéng昱yù，机jī深shēn智zhì远yuǎn，虽suī萧xiāo何hé、陈chén平píng不bù及jí也yě。

The Emperor read the memorial and passed it to his Minister, who duly summoned Mi Hêng. He came, but after his formal salutations were over he was left standing and not invited to sit down. Looking up to heaven he sighed deeply, saying, “Wide as is the universe it cannot produce the man.” “Under my orders are scores of men whom the world call heroes. What do you mean by saying there is not the man?” said Ts‘ao. “I should be glad to hear who they are,” said Mi.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-15

张zhāng辽liáo、许xú褚chǔ、乐lè进jìn、李lí典diǎn，勇yǒng不bù可kě当dāng，虽suī岑cén彭péng、马má武wǔ不bù及jí也yě。吕lǚ虔qián、满mán宠chǒng为wèi从cóng事shì；于yú禁jìn、徐xú晃huǎng为wèi先xiān锋fēng。夏xià侯hóu惇dūn天tiān下xià奇qí才cái，曹cáo子zi孝xiào世shì间jiān福fú将jiàng。安ān得dé无wú人rén？」衡héng笑xiào曰yuē：「公gōng言yán差chà矣yǐ。

“Hsün Yü and Hsün Yu, Kuo Chia and Ch‘êng Yü are all men of profound skill and long views, superior to Hsiao Ho and Ch‘ên P‘ing; Chang Liao and Hsü Chu, Li Tien and Yo Chin are bravest of the brave, better than Tsên P‘êng and Ma Wu. Lü Ch‘ien and Man Ch‘ung are my secretaries, Yü Chin and Hsü Huang are my van-leaders; Hsiahou Tun is one of the world’s marvels and Ts‘ao Tzŭ-hsiao is the most successful leader of the age. Now say you there are not the men?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-16

此cí等děng人rén物wù，吾wú侭jǐn识shí之zhī：荀xún彧yù可ké使shǐ吊diào丧sāng问wèn疾jí，荀xún攸yōu可ké使shǐ看kàn坟fén守shǒu墓mù，程chéng昱yù可ké使shǐ关guān门mén闭bì户hù，郭guō嘉jiā可ké使shǐ白bái词cí念niàn赋fù，张zhāng辽liáo可ké使shǐ击jī鼓gǔ鸣míng金jīn，许xú褚chú可ké使shǐ牧mù牛niú放fàng马mǎ，乐lè进jìn可ké使shí取qǔ状zhuàng读dú诏zhào，李lí典dián可ké使shǐ传chuán书shū送sòng檄xí，吕lǚ虔qián可ké使shǐ磨mó刀dāo铸zhù剑jiàn，满mán宠chóng可ké使shí饮yín酒jiǔ食shí糟zāo，于yú禁jìn可ké使shǐ负fù版bǎn筑zhù墙qiáng，徐xú晃huáng可ké使shǐ屠tú猪zhū杀shā狗gǒu。

“Sir, you are quite mistaken,” said Mi Hêng with a smile. “I know all these things you call men. Hsün Yü is qualified to pose at a funeral or ask after a sick man. Hsün Yu is fit to be a tomb guardian. Ch‘êng Yü might be sent to shut doors and bolt windows, and Kuo Chia is a reciter of poems; Chang Liao might beat drums and clang gongs; Hsü Chu might lead cattle to pasture; Yo Chin would make a fair confidential clerk of the Court; Li Tien could carry despatches and notices; Lü Ch‘ien would be a fair armourer; Man Ch‘ung could be sent to drink wine and eat brewers’ grains; Yü Chin might be of use to carry planks and build walls; Hsü Huang might be employed to kill pigs and slay dogs; Hsiahou Tun should be styled ‘Whole Body’ General and Ts‘ao Tzŭ-hsiao should be called ‘Money-grubbing Prefect.’ As for the remainder, they are mere clothes-horses, rice-sacks, wine butts, flesh bags.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-17

夏xià侯hóu惇dūn称chēng为wéi『完wán体tǐ将jiāng军jūn』，曹cáo子zi孝xiào呼hū为wèi『要yào钱qián太tài守shǒu』。其qí余yú皆jiē是shì衣yī架jià饭fàn囊náng，酒jiú桶tǒng肉ròu袋dài耳ěr！」操cāo怒nù曰yuē：「汝rú有yǒu何hé能néng？」衡héng曰yuē：「天tiān文wén地dì理lǐ，无wú一yī不bù通tōng；三sān教jiào九jiǔ流liú，无wú一yī不bù晓xiǎo；上shàng可ké以yǐ致zhì君jūn为wèi尧yáo、舜shùn，下xià可ké以yǐ配pèi德dé于yú孔kǒng、颜yán。岂qí与yǔ俗sú子zi共gòng论lùn乎hū！」时shí止zhí有yǒu张zhāng辽liáo在zài侧cè，掣chè剑jiàn欲yù斩zhǎn之zhī。

“And what special gifts have you?” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao angrily. “I know everything in heaven above and the earth beneath. I am conversant with the Three Religions and the Nine Systems of Philosophy. I could make my prince the rival of Yao and Shun and I myself could compare in virtue with K‘ung and Yen. Can I discuss on even terms with common people?” Now Chang Liao was present and he raised his sword to strike down the impudent visitor who spoke thus to his master, but Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “I want another drummer boy to play on occasions of congratulation in the Court. I will confer this office upon him.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-18

操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú正zhèng少shǎo一yī鼓gǔ吏lì；早záo晚wǎn朝cháo贺hè宴yàn享xiǎng，可kě令lìng祢mí衡héng充chōng此cǐ职zhí。」衡héng不bù推tuī辞cí，应yīng声shēng而ér去qù。辽liáo曰yuē：「此cǐ人rén出chū言yán不bú逊xùn，何hé不bù杀shā之zhī？」操cāo曰yuē：「此cǐ人rén素sù有yǒu虚xū名míng，远yuǎn近jìn所suǒ闻wén。今jīn日rì杀shā之zhī，天tiān下xià必bì谓wèi我wǒ不bù能néng容róng物wù，彼bǐ自zì以yǐ为wéi能néng，故gù令lìng为wèi鼓gǔ吏lì以yí辱rǔ之zhī。」

Instead of indignantly declining this Mi Hêng accepted the position and went out. “He spoke very impertinently,” said Liao; “Why did you not put him to death?” “He has something of a reputation; empty, but people have heard of him and so, if I put him to death, they would say I was intolerant. As he thinks he has ability I have made him a drummer to mortify him.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-19

来lái日rì，操cāo于yú省shěng厅tīng上shàng大dà宴yàn宾bīn客kè，令lìng鼓gǔ吏lì挝wō鼓gǔ。旧jiù吏lì云yún：「挝wō鼓gǔ必bì换huàn新xīn衣yī。」衡héng穿chuān旧jiù衣yī而ér入rù，遂suì击jī鼓gǔ为wèi《渔yú阳yáng三sān挝wō》，音yīn节jié殊shū妙miào，渊yuān渊yuān有yǒu金jīn石shí声shēng。坐zuò客kè听tīng之zhī，莫mò不bù慷kāng慨kǎi流liú涕tì。左zuǒ右yòu喝hē曰yuē：「何hé不bù更gēng衣yī！」衡héng当dāng麺miàn脱tuō下xià旧jiù破pò衣yī服fú，裸luó体tǐ而ér立lì，浑hún身shēn侭jǐn露lù。坐zuò客kè皆jiē掩yǎn麺miàn。

Soon after Tsʻao instituted a banquet in the capital at which the guests were many. The drums were to be played and the old drummers were ordered to wear new clothes. But the new drummer took his place with the other musicians clad in old and worn garments. The piece chosen was Yü-yang ( or “Fishing”) and from the earliest taps on the drum the effect was exquisite, profound as the notes from metal and stone. The performance stirred deeply the emotions of every guest, some even shed tears. Seeing all eyes turned on the shabby performer the attendants said, “Why did you not put on your new uniform?” Mi Hêng turned to them, slipped off his frayed and torn robe and stood there in full view, naked as he was born. The assembled guests covered their faces. Then the drummer composedly drew on his nether garments.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-20

衡héng乃nǎi徐xú徐xú著zhù裤kù，颜yán色sè不bú变biàn。

Mi Heng slowly drew on his trousers, his countenance unchanged.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-21

操cāo叱chì曰yuē「庙miào堂táng之zhī上shàng何hé太tài无wú礼lǐ」衡héng曰yuē「欺qī君jūn罔wǎng上shàng乃nǎi谓wèi无wú礼lǐ。

Cao roared, "How insolent in the hall of state!" Heng replied, "To deceive the sovereign and hoodwink your superiors—that is true insolence."

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-22

吾wú露lù父fù母mǔ之zhī形xíng以yí显xiǎn清qīng白bái之zhī体tí耳ěr」操cāo曰yuē「汝rǔ为wèi清qīng白bái谁shuí为wèi污wū浊zhuó」衡héng曰yuē「汝rǔ不bù识shí贤xián愚yú是shì眼yǎn浊zhuó也yě不bù读dú诗shī书shū是shì口kǒu浊zhuó也yě不bú纳nà忠zhōng言yán是shì耳ěr浊zhuó也yě不bù通tōng古gǔ今jīn是shì身shēn浊zhuó也yě不bù容róng诸zhū侯hóu是shì腹fù浊zhuó也yě常cháng怀huái篡cuàn逆nì是shì心xīn浊zhuó也yě吾wú乃nǎi天tiān下xià名míng士shì用yòng为wèi鼓gǔ吏lì是shì犹yóu阳yáng货huò轻qīng仲zhòng尼ní、臧zāng仓cāng毁huǐ孟mèng子zi耳ěr欲yù成chéng霸bà王wáng之zhī业yè而ér如rú此cǐ轻qīng人rén耶yé」

“Why do you behave so rudely at Court?” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “To flout one’s prince and insult one’s superiors is the real rudeness,” cried Mi Hêng. “I bare my natural body as an emblem of my purity.” “So you are pure! And who is foul?” “You do not distinguish between the wise and the foolish; which is to have foul vision; you have never read the Odes or the Histories, which is to have foul speech; you are deaf to honest words, which is to have foul ears; you are unable to reconcile antiquity with to-day, which is to be foul without; you cannot tolerate the nobles, which is to be foul within; you harbour thoughts of rebellion, which is to have a foul heart. I am the most famous scholar in the world and you make me a drummer boy, that is as Yang Huo belittling Chung-ni (Confucius) or Tsang Ts‘ang vilifying Mêng, the Philosopher (Mencius). You desire to be chief and arbitrator of the great nobles, yet you treat me thus!”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-23

时shí孔kǒng融róng在zài坐zuò恐kǒng操cāo杀shā衡héng乃nǎi从cóng容róng进jìn曰yuē「祢mí衡héng罪zuì同tóng胥xū靡mí不bù足zú发fā明míng王wáng之zhī梦mèng。」操cāo指zhǐ衡héng而ér言yán曰yuē「令lìng汝rú往wǎng荆jīng州zhōu为wèi使shǐ。如rú刘liú表biǎo来lái降jiàng便biàn用yòng汝rǔ作zuò公gōng卿qīng。」衡héng不bù肯kén往wǎng。操cāo备bèi马mǎ三sān匹pǐ令lìng二èr人rén扶fú挟xié而ér行xíng却què教jiào手shǒu下xià文wén武wú整zhéng酒jiǔ于yú东dōng门mén外wài送sòng之zhī。荀xún彧yù曰yuē「如rú祢mí衡héng来lái不bù可ké起qǐ身shēn。」

Now K‘ung Jung who had recommended Mi Hêng for employment was among the guests and he feared for the life of his friend. Wherefore he tried to calm the storm. “Mi Hêng is only guilty of a misdemeanour like Hsü Mi’s,” cried he. “He is not a man likely to disturb your dreams, illustrious Prince.” Pointing to Mi Hêng the Minister said, “I will send you to Chingchou as my messenger and if Liu Piao surrender to me I will give you a post at Court.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-24

衡héng至zhì。下xià马mǎ入rù见jiàn众zhòng皆jiē端duān坐zuò。衡héng放fàng声shēng大dà哭kū。荀xún彧yù问wèn曰yuē「何hé为wéi而ér哭kū」衡héng曰yuē「行xíng于yú死sǐ柩jiù之zhī中zhōng如rú何hé不bù哭kū」众zhòng皆jiē曰yuē「吾wú等děng是shì死sǐ尸shī汝rú乃nǎi无wú头tóu狂kuáng鬼guí耳ěr」衡héng曰yuē「吾wú乃nǎi汉hàn朝cháo之zhī臣chén不bú作zuò曹cáo瞒mán之zhī党dǎng安ān得dé无wú头tóu」众zhòng欲yù杀shā之zhī。苟gǒu彧yù急jí止zhǐ之zhī曰yuē「量liàng鼠shǔ雀què之zhī辈bèi何hé足zú污wū刀dāo」

But Hêng was unwilling to go. So Ts‘ao Ts‘ao bade two of his men prepare three horses and they set Hêng on the middle one and dragged him along the road between them. It is also related that a great number of officers of all ranks assembled at the east gate to see the messenger start. Hsün Yü said, “When Mi Hêng comes we will not rise to salute him.” So when Hêng came, dismounted and entered the waiting room, they all sat stiff and silent. Mi Hêng uttered a loud cry. “What is that for?” said Hsün Yü. “Should not one cry out when one enters a coffin?” said Mi Hêng. “We may be corpses,” cried they altogether, “but you are a wandering ghost.” “I am a Minister of Han and not a partizan of Ts‘ao’s,” cried he. “You cannot say I have no head.” They were angry enough to kill him, but Hsün Yü checked them. “He is a paltry fellow, it is not worth soiling your blades with his blood.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-25

衡héng曰yuē：「吾wú乃nái鼠shǔ雀què，尚shàng有yǒu人rén性xìng；汝rú等déng只zhí可kě谓wèi之zhī蜾guǒ虫chóng！」众zhòng恨hèn而ér散sàn。

“I am paltry, am I? Yet I have the soul of a man and you are mere worms,” said Mi Hêng.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-26

衡héng至zhì荆jīng州zhōu，见jiàn刘liú表biǎo毕bì，虽suī颂sòng德dé，实shí讥jī讽fěng。表biǎo不bù喜xǐ，令lìng去qù江jiāng夏xià见jiàn黄huáng祖zǔ。或huò问wèn表biǎo曰yuē：「祢mí衡héng戏xì谑xuè主zhǔ公gōng，何hé不bù杀shā之zhī？」表biǎo曰yuē：「祢mí衡héng数shù辱rǔ曹cáo操cāo，操cāo不bù杀shā者zhě，恐kǒng失shī人rén望wàng；故gù令lìng作zuò使shǐ于yú我wǒ，欲yù借jiè我wó手shǒu杀shā之zhī，使shí我wǒ受shòu害hài贤xián之zhī名míng也yě。吾wú今jīn遣qiǎn去qù见jiàn黄huáng祖zǔ，使shǐ曹cáo操cāo知zhī我wó有yǒu识shí。」众zhòng皆jiē称chēng善shàn。

They went their ways all very angry. Mi Hêng went on his journey and presently reached Chingchou, where he saw Liu Piao. After that, under pretence of extolling his virtue, he lampooned Piao, who was annoyed and sent him to Chianghsia to see Huang Tsu. “Why did you not put the fellow to death for lampooning you?” said one to Liu Piao. “You see he shamed Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, but Ts‘ao did not kill him as he feared to lose popular favour. So he sent him to me, thinking to borrow my hand to slay him and so suffer the loss of my good name. I have sent him on to Huang Tsu to let Ts‘ao see that I understood.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-27

时shí袁yuán绍shào亦yì遣qián使shǐ至zhì。表biǎo问wèn众zhòng谋móu士shì曰yuē：「袁yuán本běn初chū又yòu遣qián使shǐ来lái，曹cáo孟mèng德dé又yòu差chà祢mí衡héng在zài此cǐ，当dāng从cóng何hé便biàn？」从cóng事shì中zhōng郎láng将jiāng韩hán嵩sōng进jìn曰yuē：「今jīn两liǎng雄xióng相xiāng持chí，将jiāng军jūn若ruò欲yù有yǒu为wéi，乘chéng此cǐ破pò敌dí可ké也yě。如rú其qí不bù然rán，将jiāng择zé其qí善shàn者zhě而ér从cóng之zhī。

“You see he shamed Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, but Ts‘ao did not kill him as he feared to lose popular favour. So he sent him to me, thinking to borrow my hand to slay him and so suffer the loss of my good name. I have sent him on to Huang Tsu to let Ts‘ao see that I understood.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-28

今jīn曹cáo操cāo善shàn能néng用yòng兵bīng，贤xián俊jùn多duō归guī，其qí势shì必bì先xiān取qǔ袁yuán绍shào，然rán后hòu移yí兵bīng向xiàng江jiāng东dōng，恐kǒng将jiāng军jūn不bù能néng御yù；莫mò若ruò举jǔ荆jīng州zhōu以yǐ附fù操cāo，操cāo必bì重zhòng待dài将jiāng军jūn矣yǐ。」表biǎo曰yuē：「汝rú且qiě去qù许xǔ都dōu，观guān其qí动dòng静jìng，再zài作zuò商shāng议yì。」嵩sōng曰yuē：「君jūn臣chén各gè有yǒu定dìng分fēn。嵩sōng今jīn事shì将jiāng军jūn，虽suī赴fù汤tāng蹈dáo火huǒ，一yī唯wéi所suǒ命mìng。

His clever caution met with general praise. At that time a messenger from Yüan Shao was also there with certain proposals for an alliance and it was necessary to decide which side to espouse. All the advisers came together to consider the question. Then the secretary, Han Sung, said, “As you have now two offers you can please yourself and choose your own way to destroy your enemies, for if one refuse you can follow the other. Now Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is an able general and has many capable men in his train. It looks as though he may destroy Yüan Shao and then move his armies across the river. I fear, General, you would be unable then to withstand him. That being so it would be wise to support Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who will treat you with respect.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-29

将jiāng军jūn若ruò能néng上shàng顺shùn天tiān子zi，下xià从cóng曹cáo公gōng，使shǐ嵩sōng可ké也yě；如rú持chí疑yí未wèi定dìng，嵩sōng到dào京jīng师shī，天tiān子zi赐cì嵩sōng一yī官guān，则zé嵩sōng为wèi天tiān子zi之zhī臣chén，不bù得dé复fù为wèi将jiāng军jūn死sí矣yǐ。」表biǎo曰yuē：「汝rú且qiě先xiān往wǎng观guān之zhī。吾wú别bié有yóu主zhǔ意yì。」

Liu Piao replied, “You go to the capital and see how things tend. That will help me to decide.” Han Sung said, “The positions of master and servant are clearly defined. Now I am your man prepared to go all lengths for you and obey you to the last, whether in serving the Emperor or in following Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. But lest there should be any doubt you must remember that if the Emperor gives me any office then I shall become his servant and shall not be ready to face death for you.” “You go and find out what you can. I have ideas in my mind.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-30

嵩sōng辞cí表biǎo，到dào许xǔ都dōu见jiàn操cāo。操cāo遂suì拜bài嵩sōng为wèi侍shì中zhōng，领lǐng零líng陵líng太tài守shǒu。荀xún彧yù曰yuē：「韩hán嵩sōng来lái观guān动dòng静jìng，未wèi有yǒu微wēi功gōng，重zhòng加jiā此cǐ职zhí。祢mí衡héng又yòu无wú音yīn耗hào，丞chéng相xiàng遣qiǎn而ér不bú问wèn，何hé也yě？」操cāo曰yuē：「祢mí衡héng辱rǔ吾wú太tài甚shèn，故gù借jiè刘liú表biáo手shǒu杀shā之zhī，何hé必bì再zài问wèn？」遂suì遣qiǎn韩hán嵩sōng回huí荆jīng州zhōu说shuō刘liú表biǎo。嵩sōng回huí见jiàn表biǎo，称chēng颂sòng朝cháo廷tíng盛shèng德dé，劝quàn表biáo遣qiǎn子zi入rù侍shì。

So Han Sung took his leave and went to the capital, where he saw Tsʻao. Ts‘ao gave him rank and made him Prefect of Lingling. The adviser Hsün Yü remonstrated, saying, “This man came to spy out how things were moving. He has done nothing to deserve reward and yet you give him an office like this. There were no such suspicious rumours connected with poor Mi Hêng and yet you sent him off and would never test his powers.” “Mi Hêng shamed me too deeply before all the world. I am going to borrow Liu Piao’s hand to remove him. And you need say no more,” said Ts‘ao. Then Ts‘ao sent Han Sung back to his former master to tell him what had happened. He came and was full of praise for the virtues of the Court and was keen on persuading Piao to espouse that side. Then Liu Piao suddenly turned angry, charged him with treachery and threatened him with death.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-31

表biǎo大dà怒nù曰yuē：「汝rǔ怀huái二èr心xīn耶yé！」欲yù斩zhǎn之zhī。嵩sōng大dà叫jiào曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn负fù嵩sōng，嵩sōng不bú负fù将jiāng军jūn！」蒯kuǎi良liáng曰yuē：「嵩sōng未wèi去qù之zhī前qián，先xiān有yóu此cǐ言yán矣yǐ。」刘liú表biǎo遂suì赦shè之zhī。

“You turn your back on me;” cried Han Sung. “I did not betray you.” K‘uai Liang remarked that Han Sung had foretold this possibility before he left, it was only what he expected. Liu Piao, who was just and reasonable, went no further.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-32

人rén报bào黄huáng祖zú斩zhǎn了le祢mí衡héng表biǎo问wèn其qí故gù。对duì曰yuē「黄huáng祖zú与yǔ祢mí衡héng共gòng饮yǐn皆jiē醉zuì。祖zǔ问wèn衡héng曰yuē『君jūn在zài许xǔ都dōu有yǒu何hé人rén物wù』衡héng曰yuē『大dà儿ér孔kǒng文wén举jú小xiǎo儿ér杨yáng德dé祖zǔ除chú此cǐ二èr人rén别bié无wú人rén物wù。』祖zǔ曰yuē『似shì我wǒ何hé如rú』衡héng曰yuē『汝rǔ似shì庙miào中zhōng之zhī神shén虽suī受shòu祭jì祀sì恨hèn无wú灵líng验yàn』祖zǔ大dà怒nù曰yuē『汝rú以yí我wǒ为wèi土tǔ木mù偶ǒu人rén耶yé』

Presently came the news that Mi Hêng had been put to death by Huang Tsu on account of a quarrel begun over the wine cups. Both being worse for liquor they had begun to discuss the worth of people. “You were born in Hsütu,” said Huang. “Who was there of worth?” “The big boy was K‘ung Jung and the little one Yang Tê-tsu. There was no one else to count.” “What am I like?” said Huang. “You are like a god in a temple; you sit still and receive sacrifice, but the lack of intelligence is pitiful.” “Do you regard me as a mere image?” cried Huang Tsu, angry.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-33

遂suì斩zhǎn之zhī。衡héng至zhì死sǐ骂mà不bù绝jué口kǒu。」刘liú表biǎo闻wén衡héng死sǐ，亦yì嗟jiē呀ya不bù已yǐ，令lìng葬zàng于yú鹦yīng鹉wǔ洲zhōu边biān。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī叹tàn曰yuē：

So he put the impudent speaker to death. Even at the very point of death Mi never ceased his railing and abuse. “Alas!” sighed Liu Piao, when he heard of his fate. He had the victim honourably interred near Yingwuchou. And a later poet wrote of him:— Huang Tsu could brook no rival; at his word Mi Hêng met death beneath the cruel sword. His grave on Parrot Isle may yet be seen, The river flowing past it, coldly green.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-34

黄huáng祖zǔ才cái非fēi长zháng者zhě俦chóu，祢mí衡héng丧sàng首shóu此cǐ江jiāng头tóu。

Huang Zu was no man of generous grace; Mi Heng lost his head beside this stream.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-35

今jīn来lái鹦yīng鹉wǔ洲zhōu边biān过guò，惟wéi有yǒu无wú情qíng碧bì水shuǐ流liú。

Now passing by Parrot Isle, only the heartless green waters flow.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-36

却què说shuō曹cáo操cāo知zhī祢mí衡héng受shòu害hài笑xiào曰yuē「腐fǔ儒rú舌shé剑jiàn反fǎn自zì杀shā矣yǐ」因yīn不bú见jiàn刘liú表biǎo来lái降jiàng便biàn欲yù兴xīng兵bīng问wèn罪zuì。荀xún彧yù谏jiàn曰yuē「袁yuán绍shào未wèi平píng刘liú备bèi未wèi灭miè而ér欲yù用yòng兵bīng江jiāng汉hàn是shì犹yóu舍shě心xīn腹fù而ér顾gù手shǒu足zú也yě。可kě先xiān灭miè袁yuán绍shào后hòu灭miè刘liú备bèi江jiāng汉hàn可kě一yī扫sǎo而ér平píng矣yǐ。」操cāo从cóng之zhī。

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao heard of the young man’s death with pleasure. “The putrid bookworm has just cut himself up with his own sharp tongue,” said he. As there was no sign of Liu Piao coming to join him, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao began to think of coercion. The adviser, Hsün Yü, dissuaded him from this course. Said he, “Yüan Shao is not subjugated, Liu Pei is not destroyed. To attack Liu Piao would be to neglect the vital to care for the immaterial. Destroy the two chief enemies first and Chiang-han is yours at one blow.” And Ts‘ao Ts‘ao took the advice.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-37

且qiě说shuō董dǒng承chéng自zì刘liú玄xuán德dé去qù后hòu，日rì夜yè与yǔ王wáng子zǐ服fú等děng商shāng议yì，无wú计jì可kě施shī。建jiàn安ān五wǔ年nián，元yuán旦dàn朝cháo贺hè，见jiàn曹cáo操cāo骄jiāo横hèng愈yù甚shèn，感gǎn愤fèn成chéng疾jí。帝dì知zhī国guó舅jiù染rǎn病bìng，令lìng随suí朝cháo太tài医yī前qián去qù医yī治zhì。此cǐ医yī乃nǎi洛luò阳yáng人rén：姓xìng吉jí，名míng太tài，字zì称chēng平píng，人rén皆jiē呼hū为wèi吉jí平píng，当dāng时shí名míng医yī也yě。平píng到dào董dǒng承chéng府fǔ用yòng药yào调tiáo治zhì，旦dàn夕xī不bù离lí；

After the departure of Yüan-tê, Tung Ch‘êng and his fellow conspirators did nothing else day or night but try to evolve plans for the destruction of their enemy. But they could see no chance to attack. At the new year audience Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was odiously arrogant and overweening and the chief conspirator’s disgust was so intense that he fell ill. Hearing of his indisposition the Emperor sent the Court physician to see his “State Uncle.” The Court physician at this time was a native of Loyang, named Chi T‘ai, more commonly known as Chi P‘ing. He was very famous. He devoted himself wholly to the treatment of his Court patient. Living in his Palace and seeing him at all times he soon found that some secret grief was sorely troubling Tung Ch‘êng. But he dared not ask questions.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-38

常cháng见jiàn董dǒng承chéng长cháng吁xū短duǎn叹tàn，不bù敢gǎn动dòng问wèn。

One evening, when the physician was just taking his leave, Tung Ch‘êng kept him and the two men had supper together. They sat talking for some time and Tung by and by dropped off to sleep dressed as he was.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-39

时shí值zhí元yuán宵xiāo，吉jí平píng辞cí去qù，承chéng留liú住zhù，二èr人rén共gòng饮yǐn。饮yǐn至zhì更gèng余yú，承chéng觉jué困kùn倦juàn，就jiù和hé衣yī而ér睡shuì。忽hū报bào王wáng子zǐ服fú等děng四sì人rén至zhì，承chéng出chū接jiē入rù。服fú曰yuē：「大dà事shì谐xié矣yǐ！」承chéng曰yuē：「愿yuàn闻wén其qí说shuō。」服fú曰yuē：「刘liú表biǎo结jié连lián袁yuán绍shào，起qǐ兵bīng五wǔ十shí万wàn，共gòng分fēn十shí路lù杀shā来lái。马mǎ腾téng结jié连lián韩hán遂suì，起qǐ西xī凉liáng军jūn七qī十shí二èr万wàn，从cóng北běi杀shā来lái。

Presently Wang Tzŭ-fu and the others were announced. As they were coming in Wang cried, “Our business is settled!” “I should be glad to hear how,” said Tung. “Liu Piao has joined Yüan Shao and fifty legions are on their way here by different routes. More than this, Ma T‘êng and Han Sui are coming from the north with seventy-two legions. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao has moved every soldier outside Hsütu to meet the combined armies. There is a great banquet in the Palace to night and if we get together our young men and slaves, we can muster more than a thousand, and we can surround the palace, while Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is at the banquet, and finish him off. We must not miss this.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-40

曹cáo操cāo侭jín起qí许xǔ昌chāng兵bīng马mǎ，分fēn头tóu迎yíng敌dí，城chéng中zhōng空kōng虚xū。若ruò聚jù五wǔ家jiā僮tóng仆pú，可kě得dé千qiān余yú人rén。乘chéng今jīn夜yè府fǔ中zhōng大dà宴yàn，庆qìng赏shǎng元yuán宵xiāo，将jiāng府fǔ围wéi住zhù，突tū入rù杀shā之zhī。不bù可kě失shī此cǐ机jī会huì！」

Tung Ch‘êng was more than delighted. He called his slaves and armed them, put on his own armour and mounted his horse. The conspirators met, as they had arranged, just at the inner gate. It was the first watch. The small army marched straight in, Tung Ch‘êng leading with his sword drawn. His intended victim was at table in one of the private rooms. Tung rushed in crying, “Tsʻao you rebel, stay!” and dashed at Ts‘ao Ts‘ao who fell at the first blow.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-41

承chéng大dà喜xǐ，随suí即jí唤huàn家jiā奴nú各gè人rén收shōu拾shí兵bīng器qì，自zì己jǐ披pī挂guà绰chuò枪qiāng上shàng马mǎ，约yuē会huì都dōu在zài内nèi门mén前qián相xiāng会huì，同tóng时shí进jìn兵bīng。夜yè至zhì二èr鼓gǔ，众zhòng兵bīng皆jiē到dào。董dǒng承chéng手shǒu提tí宝bǎo剑jiàn，徒tú步bù直zhí入rù，见jiàn操cāo设shè宴yàn后hòu堂táng，大dà叫jiào：「操cāo贼zéi休xiū走zǒu！」一yī剑jiàn剁duò去qù，随suí手shǒu而ér倒dào。霎shà时shí觉jué来lái，乃nǎi南nán柯kē一yī梦mèng，口kǒu中zhōng犹yóu骂mà操cāo贼zéi不bù止zhǐ。

And just then he woke up and found it was all a dream, a dream as unreal as that of life in the kingdom of the ants. But his mouth was still full of curses.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-42

吉jí平píng向xiàng前qián叫jiào曰yuē：「汝rǔ欲yù害hài曹cáo公gōng乎hū？」承chéng惊jīng惧jù不bù能néng答dá。吉jí平píng曰yuē：「国guó舅jiù休xiū慌huāng。某mǒu虽suī医yī人rén，未wèi尝cháng忘wàng汉hàn。某mǒu连lián日rì见jiàn国guó舅jiù嗟jiē叹tàn，不bù敢gǎn动dòng问wèn。恰qià才cái梦mèng中zhōng之zhī言yán，已yǐ见jiàn真zhēn情qíng。幸xìng勿wù相xiāng瞒mán。倘táng有yǒu用yòng某mǒu之zhī处chù，虽suī灭miè九jiǔ族zú，亦yì无wú后hòu悔huǐ。」承chéng掩yǎn麺miàn而ér哭kū曰yuē：「只zhí恐kóng汝rǔ非fēi真zhēn心xīn！」

“Do you really wish to destroy Ts‘ao Ts‘ao?” said Chi P‘ing, going forward to his half awakened patient. This brought him to his senses. Tung stopped, terror stricken, and made no reply. “Do not be frightened, O Uncle,” said the doctor, “Although I am a physician I am also a man, and I never forget my Emperor. You have seemed sad for many days but I have never ventured to ask the reason. Now you have shown it in your dream and I know your real feelings. If I can be of any use I will help. Nothing can daunt me.” Tung Ch‘êng covered his face and wept. “I fear you may not be true to me,” cried he.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-43

平píng遂suì咬yǎo下xià一yī指zhǐ为wèi誓shì。承chéng乃nái取qǔ出chū衣yī带dài诏zhào，令lìng平píng视shì之zhī；且qiě曰yuē：「今jīn之zhī谋móu望wàng不bù成chéng者zhě，乃nǎi刘liú玄xuán德dé、马mǎ腾téng各gè自zì去qù了le，无wú计jì可kě施shī，因yīn此cí感gǎn而ér成chéng疾jí。」平píng曰yuē：「不bù消xiāo诸zhū公gōng用yòng心xīn。操cāo贼zéi性xìng命mìng，只zhǐ在zài某móu手shǒu中zhōng。」承chéng问wèn其qí故gù。平píng曰yuē：「操cāo常cháng患huàn头tóu风fēng，痛tòng入rù骨gú髓suǐ；才cái一yī举jǔ发fā，便biàn召zhào某mǒu医yī治zhì。

Chi P‘ing at once bit off a finger as a pledge of his faith. And then his host and patient brought forth the decree he had received in the girdle. “I am afraid our schemes will come to nought,” said he. “Liu Yüan-tê and Ma T‘êng are gone and there is nothing we can do. That was the real reason I fell ill.” “It is not worth troubling you gentlemen with; for Ts‘ao’s life lies in these hands of mine,” said Chi P‘ing. “How can that be?” “Because he is often ill with deep-seated pain in his head. When this comes on he sends for me. When next he calls me I only have to give him one dose and he will certainly die. We do not want any weapons.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-44

如rú早záo晚wán有yǒu召zhào，只zhǐ用yòng一yī服fù毒dú药yào，必bì然rán死sí矣yǐ，何hé必bì举jǔ刀dāo兵bīng乎hū？」承chéng曰yuē：「若ruò得dé如rú此cǐ，救jiù汉hàn朝cháo社shè稷jì者zhě，皆jiē赖lài君jūn也yě！」

“If only you could do it! You would be the saviour of the Dynasty; it depends upon you.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-45

时shí吉jí平píng辞cí归guī。承chéng心xīn中zhōng暗àn喜xǐ，步bú入rù后hòu堂táng，忽hū见jiàn家jiā奴nú秦qín庆qìng童tóng同tóng侍shì妾qiè云yún英yīng在zài暗àn处chù私sī语yǔ。承chéng大dà怒nù，唤huàn左zuǒ右yòu捉zhuō下xià，欲yù杀shā之zhī。夫fū人rén劝quàn免miǎn其qí死sǐ，各gè人rén人rén杖zhàng脊jí四sì十shí，将jiāng庆qìng童tóng锁suǒ于yú冷lěng房fáng。庆qìng童tóng怀huái恨hèn，夤yín夜yè将jiāng铁tié锁suó扭niǔ断duàn，跳tiào墙qiáng而ér出chū，迳jìng入rù曹cáo操cāo府fǔ中zhōng，告gào有yǒu机jī密mì事shì。操cāo唤huàn入rù密mì室shì问wèn之zhī。

Then Chi P‘ing went away leaving his late patient a happy man. Tung strolled into the garden and there he saw one of his slaves, Tsʻin Ch‘ing-t‘ung, whispering with one of the waiting maids in a dark corner. This annoyed him and he called his attendants to seize them. He would have put them to death but for the intervention of his wife. At her request he spared their lives but both were beaten, and the lad was thrown into a dungeon. Sulky at his treatment the slave broke out of the cell in the night, climbed over the wall and went straight to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s palace, where he betrayed the conspiracy.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-46

庆qìng童tóng云yún：「王wáng子zǐ服fú、吴wú子zi兰lán、种zhǒng辑jí、吴wú硕shuò、马mǎ腾téng五wǔ人rén在zài家jiā主zhú府fǔ中zhōng商shāng议yì机jī密mì，必bì然rán是shì谋móu丞chéng相xiàng。家jiā主zhǔ将jiàng出chū白bái绢juàn一yī段duàn，不bù知zhī写xiě著zhù甚shèn的de。近jìn日rì吉jí平píng咬yáo指zhǐ为wèi誓shì，我wó也yě曾céng见jiàn。」

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao at once had him taken into a secret chamber and questioned him. He gave the names of the conspirators and told as much as he knew of their doings. He said his master had a piece of white silk, with writing on it, but he did not know what it meant. Lately Chi P‘ing had bitten off one of his fingers as a pledge of fidelity. He had seen that.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-47

曹cáo操cāo藏cáng匿nì庆qìng童tóng于yú府fǔ中zhōng，董dǒng承chéng只zhǐ道dào逃táo往wǎng他tā方fāng去qù了le，也yě不bù追zhuī寻xún。次cì日rì，曹cáo操cāo诈zhà患huàn头tóu风fēng，召zhào吉jí平píng用yòng药yào。平píng自zì思sī曰yuē：「此cǐ贼zéi合hé休xiū！」暗àn藏cáng毒dú药yào入rù府fǔ。操cāo卧wò于yú床chuáng上shàng，令lìng平píng下xià药yào。平píng曰yuē：「此cǐ病bìng可kě一yī服fù即jí愈yù。」教jiào取qǔ药yào罐guàn，当dāng麺miàn煎jiān之zhī。药yào已yǐ半bàn干gàn，平píng已yǐ暗àn下xià毒dú药yào，亲qīn自zì送sòng上shàng。

The runaway slave was kept in a secret part of the Palace while his late master, only knowing that he had run away, took no special means to find him. Soon after this Ts‘ao feigned a headache and sent for Chi P‘ing as usual. “The rebel is done for,” thought Chi P‘ing, and he made a secret package of poison which he took with him to the palace of the Minister. He found Ts‘ao in bed. The patient bade the doctor prepare a potion for him. “One draught will cure this disease,” said P‘ing. He bade them bring him a pipkin and he prepared the potion in the room. When it had simmered for some time and was half finished the poison was added, and soon after the physician presented the draught. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, knowing it was poisoned, made excuses and would not swallow it.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-48

操cāo知zhī有yǒu毒dú，故gù意yì迟chí延yán不bù服fú。平píng曰yuē：「乘chéng热rè服fú之zhī，少shǎo汗hàn即jí愈yù。」操cāo起qǐ曰yuē：「汝rǔ既jì读dú儒rú书shū，必bì知zhī礼lǐ义yì。『君jūn有yǒu疾jí饮yǐn药yào，臣chén先xiān尝cháng之zhī；父fù有yǒu疾jí饮yǐn药yào，子zi先xiān尝cháng之zhī。』汝rǔ为wèi我wǒ心xīn腹fù之zhī人rén，何hé不bù先xiān尝cháng而ér后hòu进jìn？」平píng曰yuē：「药yào以yǐ治zhì病bìng，何hé用yòng人rén尝cháng？」

“You should take it hot,” said the doctor. “Then there will be a gentle perspiration and you will be better.” “You are a scholar,” said Ts'ao, sitting up, “and know what is the correct thing to do. When the master is ill and takes drugs, the attendant first tastes them; when a man is ill, his son first tastes the medicine. You are my confidant and should drink first. Then I will swallow the remainder.” “Medicine is to treat disease; what is the use of any one’s tasting it?” said P‘ing. But he guessed now the conspiracy had been discovered so he dashed forward, seized Ts‘ao Ts‘ao by the ear and tried to pour the potion down his throat. Ts‘ao pushed it away and it spilt. The bricks upon which it fell were split asunder. Before Ts‘ao Ts‘ao could speak his servants had already seized his assailant.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-49

平píng知zhī事shì已yǐ泄xiè，纵zòng步bú向xiàng前qián，扯chě住zhù操cāo耳ěr而ér灌guàn之zhī。操cāo推tuī药yào泼pō地dì，砖zhuān皆jiē迸bèng裂liè。操cāo未wèi及jí言yán，左zuǒ右yòu已yǐ将jiāng吉jí平píng执zhí下xià。操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú岂qí有yǒu疾jí，特tè试shì汝rú耳ěr！汝rú果guó有yǒu害hài我wǒ之zhī心xīn！」遂suì唤huàn二èr十shí个gè精jīng壮zhuàng狱yù卒zú，执zhí平píng至zhì后hòu园yuán拷kǎo问wèn。操cāo坐zuò于yú亭tíng上shàng，将jiāng吉jí平píng缚fù倒dào于yú地dì。吉jí平píng麺miàn不bù改gǎi容róng，略lüè无wú惧jù怯qiè。

Said Ts‘ao, “I am not ill: I only wanted to test you. So you really thought to poison me.” He sent for a score of sturdy gaolers who carried off the prisoner to the inner apartments to be interrogated. Ts‘ao took his seat in a pavilion and the hapless physician, tightly bound, was thrown to the ground before him. The prisoner maintained a bold front. Ts‘ao said, “I thought you were a physician; how dared you try to poison me? Some one incited you to this crime and if you tell me I will pardon you.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-50

操cāo笑xiào曰yuē：「量liàng汝rǔ是shì个gè医yī人rén，安ān敢gǎn下xià毒dú害hài我wǒ？必bì有yǒu人rén唆suō使shí你nǐ来lái。你nǐ说shuō出chū那nà人rén，我wǒ便biàn饶ráo你nǐ。」平píng叱chì之zhī曰yuē：「汝rú乃nǎi欺qī君jūn罔wǎng上shàng之zhī贼zéi，天tiān下xià皆jiē欲yù杀shā汝rǔ，岂qǐ独dú我wǒ乎hū！」操cāo再zài三sān磨mó问wèn。平píng怒nù曰yuē：「我wǒ自zì欲yù杀shā汝rǔ，安ān有yǒu人rén使shí我wǒ来lái？今jīn事shì不bù成chéng，惟wéi死sǐ而ér已yǐ！」操cāo怒nù，教jiào狱yù卒zú痛tòng打dǎ。

“You are a rebel; you flout your Prince and injure your betters. The whole world wishes to kill you. Do you think I am the only one?” Ts‘ao again and again pressed the prisoner to tell what he knew, but he only replied that no one had sent him; it was his own desire. “And I have failed and I can but die,” added he. Ts‘ao angrily bade the gaolers give him a severe beating and they flogged him for two watches. His skin hung in tatters, the flesh was battered and the blood from his wounds ran down the steps. Then fearing he might die and his evidence be lost, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao bade them cease and remove him. They took him off to a quiet place where he might recover somewhat.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-51

打dǎ到dào两liǎng个gè时shí辰chén，皮pí开kāi肉ròu裂liè，血xuè流liú满mǎn阶jiē。操cāo恐kóng打dá死sǐ，无wú可kě对duì证zhèng，今jīn狱yù卒zú揪jiū去qù静jìng处chù，权quán且qiě将jiāng息xī。传chuán令lìng次cì日rì设shè宴yàn，请qǐng众zhòng大dà臣chén饮yín酒jiǔ。惟wéi董dǒng承chéng托tuō病bìng不bù来lái。王wáng子zǐ服fú等děng皆jiē恐kǒng操cāo生shēng疑yí，只zhǐ得dé俱jù至zhì。操cāo于yú后hòu堂táng设shè席xí。酒jiǔ行xíng数shù巡xún，曰yuē：「筵yán中zhōng无wú可kě为wèi乐lè，我wó有yǒu一yī人rén，可kě为wèi众zhòng官guān醒xíng酒jiǔ。

Having issued orders to prepare a banquet for next day Ts‘ao invited all the conspirators thereto. Tung Ch‘êng was the only one who excused himself, saying he was unwell. The others dared not stay away as they felt they would be suspected. Tables were laid in the private apartments and after several courses the host said, “There is not much to amuse us to-day but I have a man to show you that will sober you.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-52

」教jiào二èr十shí个gè狱yù卒zú：「与yǔ吾wú牵qiān来lái！」

“Bring him in,” he said, turning to the gaolers, and the hapless Chi P‘ing appeared, securely fastened in a wooden collar. He was placed where all could see him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-53

须xū臾yú，只zhǐ见jiàn一yī长zhǎng枷jiā钉dīng著zhù吉jí平píng，拖tuō至zhì阶jiē下xià。操cāo曰yuē：「众zhòng官guān不bù知zhī：此cǐ人rén连lián结jié𫫇é党dǎng，欲yù反fǎn背bèi朝cháo廷tíng，谋móu害hài曹cáo某mǒu；今jīn日rì天tiān败bài，请qǐng听tīng口kǒu词cí。」操cāo教jiào先xiān打dǎ一yī顿dùn，昏hūn绝jué于yú地dì，以yí水shuǐ喷pēn麺miàn。吉jí平píng苏sū醒xǐng，睁zhēng目mù切qiè齿chǐ而ér骂mà曰yuē：「操cāo贼zéi！不bù杀shā我wǒ，更gèng待dài何hé时shí？」操cāo曰yuē：「同tóng谋móu者zhě先xiān有yǒu六liù人rén，与yú汝rǔ共gòng七qī人rén耶yé？

“You officials do not know that this man is connected with a gang of evil doers who desire to overturn the government and even injure me. However Heaven has defeated their plans, but I desire that you should hear his evidence.” Then Ts‘ao ordered the lictors to beat their prisoner. They did so till he lay unconscious, when they revived him by spraying water over his face. As soon as he came to he glared at his oppressor and ground his teeth. “Ts‘ao Ts‘ao you rebel! what are you waiting for? Why not kill me?” cried Chi. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao replied, “The conspirators were only six at first; you made the seventh.” Here the prisoner broke in with more abuse, while Wang Tzŭ-fu and the others exchanged glances looking as though they were sitting on a rug full of needles. Ts‘ao continued his torture of the prisoner, beating him into unconsciousness and reviving him with cold water, the victim disdaining to ask mercy. Finally Ts‘ao realised he would incriminate none of his accomplices and so he told the gaolers to remove him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-54

」平píng只zhǐ是shì大dà骂mà。王wáng子zǐ服fú等děng四sì人rén麺miàn麺miàn相xiāng觑qù，如rú坐zuò针zhēn毡zhān。操cāo教jiào一yī麺miàn打dǎ，一yī麺miàn喷pēn，平píng并bìng无wú求qiú饶ráo之zhī意yì。操cāo见jiàn不bù招zhāo，且qiě教jiào牵qiān去qù。

At the close of the banquet, when the guests were dispersing, four of them, the four conspirators, were invited to remain behind to supper. They were terrified so that their souls seemed no longer to inhabit their bodies, but there was no saying nay to the invitation. Presently Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “Still there is something I want to speak about so I have asked you to stay for a time longer. I do not know what you four have been arranging with Tung Ch‘êng.” “Nothing at all,” said Wang. “And what is written on the white silk?” asked Ts‘ao. They all said they knew nothing about it. Then Ts‘ao ordered the runaway slave to be brought in. As soon as he came Wang said, “Well, what have you seen and where?” The slave Ch‘ing-t‘ung replied, “You six very carefully chose retired places to talk in and you secretly signed a white roll. You cannot deny that.” Wang replied, “This miserable creature was punished for misbehaviour with one of Uncle Tung’s maids and now because of that he slanders his master. You must not listen to him.” “Chi P‘ing tried to pour poison down my throat. Who told him to do that if it was not Tung?” They all said they knew nothing about who it was. “So far,” said Ts‘ao, “matters are only beginning and there is a chance of forgiveness. But if the thing grows, it will be difficult not to take notice of it.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-55

众zhòng官guān席xí散sàn，操cāo只zhǐ留liú王wáng子zǐ服fú等děng四sì人rén夜yè宴yàn。四sì人rén魂hún不bú附fù体tǐ，只zhǐ得dé留liú待dài。操cāo曰yuē：「本běn不bù相xiāng留liú，争zhēng奈nài有yǒu事shì相xiāng问wèn。汝rǔ四sì人rén不bù知zhī与yú董dǒng承chéng商shāng议yì何hé事shì？」子zi服fú曰yuē：「并bìng未wèi商shāng议yì甚shèn事shì。」操cāo曰yuē：「白bái绢juàn中zhōng写xiě著zhù何hé事shì？」子zi服fú等děng皆jiē隐yǐn讳huì，操cāo唤huàn出chū庆qìng童tóng对duì证zhèng。子zi服fú曰yuē：「汝rǔ于yú何hé处chù见jiàn来lái？

The whole four vigorously denied that any plot existed. However Ts‘ao called up his henchmen and the four men were put into confinement.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-56

」庆qìng童tóng曰yuē：「你nǐ回huí避bì了le众zhòng人rén，六liù人rén在zài一yī处chù划huà字zì，如rú何hé赖lài得dé？」子zi服fú曰yuē：「此cǐ贼zéi与yǔ国guó舅jiù侍shì妾qiè通tōng奸jiān，被bèi责zé诬wū主zhǔ，不bù可kě听tīng也yě。」操cāo曰yuē：「吉jí平píng下xià毒dú，非fēi董dǒng承chéng所suó使shǐ而ér谁shuí？」子zi服fú等děng皆jiē言yán不bù知zhī。操cāo曰yuē：「今jīn晚wǎn自zì首shǒu，尚shàng犹yóu可kě恕shù；若ruò待dài事shì发fā，其qí实shí难nán容róng！」

Next day Ts‘ao Ts‘ao with a large following went to the State Uncle’s Palace to ask after his health. Ch‘êng came out to receive his visitor, who at once said, “Why did you not come last night?” “I am not quite well yet and have to be very careful about going out,” replied Ch‘êng. “One might say you were suffering from national sorrow, eh?” said Ts‘ao. Ch‘êng started. Ts‘ao continued, “Have you heard of the Chi P‘ing affair?” “No; what is it?” Ts‘ao smiled coldly. “How can it be you do not know?” Ts‘ao turned to his attendants and told them to bring in the prisoner while he went on talking to his host about his illness.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-57

子zi服fú等děng皆jiē言yán并bìng无wú此cǐ事shì。操cāo叱chì左zuǒ右yòu将jiāng四sì人rén拏ná住zhù监jiān禁jìn。次cì日rì，带dài领lǐng众zhòng人rén迳jìng投tóu董dǒng承chéng家jiā探tàn病bìng。承chéng只zhǐ得dé出chū迎yíng。操cāo曰yuē：「缘yuán何hé夜yè来lái不bú赴fù宴yàn？」承chéng曰yuē：「微wēi疾jí未wèi痊quán，不bù敢gǎn轻qīng出chū。」操cāo曰yuē：「此cǐ是shì忧yōu国guó家jiā病bìng耳ěr。」承chéng愕è然rán。操cāo曰yuē：「国guó舅jiù知zhī吉jí平píng事shì乎hū？」承chéng曰yuē：「不bù知zhī。

Tung Ch‘êng was much put about and knew not what to do. Soon the gaolers led in the physician to the steps of the hall. At once the bound man began to rail at Ts‘ao as rebel and traitor. “This man,” said Ts‘ao, pointing to Chi P‘ing, “has implicated Wang Tzŭ-fu and three others, all of whom are now under arrest. There is one more whom I have not caught yet.” “Who sent you to poison me?” continued he, turning toward the physician. “Quick, tell me.” “Heaven sent me to slay a traitor.” Ts‘ao angrily ordered them to beat him again, but there was no part of his body that could be beaten. Tung Ch‘êng sat looking at him, his heart feeling as if transfixed with a dagger.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-58

」操cāo冷lěng笑xiào曰yuē：「国guó舅jiù如rú何hé不bù知zhī？」唤huàn左zuǒ右yòu：「牵qiān来lái与yǔ国guó舅jiù起qǐ病bìng。」承chéng举jǔ措cuò无wú地dì。

“You were born with ten fingers; how is it you have now only nine?” Chi P‘ing replied, “I bit off one as a pledge when I swore to slay a traitor.” Ts‘ao told them to bring a knife and they lopped off his other nine fingers. “Now they are all off; that will teach you to make pledges.” “Still I have a mouth that can swallow a traitor and a tongue that can curse him,” said Chi P‘ing. Ts‘ao told them to cut out his tongue. Chi P‘ing said, “Do not. I cannot endure any more punishment I shall have to speak out. Loosen my bonds.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-59

须xū臾yú，二èr十shí狱yù卒zú推tuī吉jí平píng至zhì阶jiē下xià。吉jí平píng大dà骂mà：「曹cáo操cāo逆nì贼zéi！」操cāo指zhǐ谓wèi承chéng曰yuē：「此cǐ人rén曾céng攀pān下xià王wáng子zǐ服fú等děng四sì人rén，吾wú已yǐ拏ná下xià廷tíng尉wèi。尚shàng有yǒu一yī人rén，未wèi曾céng捉zhuō获huò。」因yīn问wèn平píng曰yuē：「谁shuí使shí汝rǔ来lái药yào我wǒ？可kě速sù招zhāo出chū！」平píng曰yuē：「天tiān使shí我wǒ来lái杀shā逆nì贼zéi！」操cāo怒nù教jiào打dǎ。身shēn上shàng无wú容róng刑xíng之zhī处chù。承chéng在zài座zuò观guān之zhī，心xīn如rú刀dāo割gē。

“Loose them. There is no reason why not,” said Ts‘ao. They loosed him. As soon as he was free Chi P‘ing stood up, turned his face toward the Emperor’s Palace and bowed, saying, “It is Heaven’s will that thy servant has been unable to remove the evil,” then he turned and fell dead on the steps. His body was quartered and exposed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-60

操cāo又yòu问wèn平píng曰yuē：「你nǐ原yuán有yǒu十shí指zhǐ，今jīn如rú何hé只zhí有yóu九jiú指zhǐ？」平píng曰yuē：「嚼jué以yǐ为wéi誓shì，誓shì杀shā国guó贼zéi！」操cāo教jiào取qǔ刀dāo来lái，就jiù阶jiē下xià截jié去qù其qí九jiú指zhǐ，曰yuē：「一yī发fā截jié了le，教jiào你nǐ为wèi誓shì！」平píng曰yuē：「尚shàng有yóu口kóu可ké以yǐ吞tūn贼zéi，有yǒu舌shé可ké以yǐ骂mà贼zéi！」操cāo令lìng割gē其qí舌shé。平píng曰yuē：「且qiě勿wù动dòng手shǒu。吾wú今jīn刑xíng不bú过guò，只zhǐ得dé供gōng招zhāo。可kě释shì吾wú缚fù。

This happened in the first month of the fifth year of “Established Tranquillity” and a certain historian wrote a poem:— There lived in Han a simple leech. No warrior, yet brave Enough to risk his very life His Emperor to save. Alas! he failed; but lasting fame Is his; he feared not death; He cursed the traitorous Minister Unto his latest breath.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-61

」操cāo曰yuē：「释shì之zhī何hé碍ài？」遂suì命mìng解jiě其qí缚fù。平píng起qǐ身shēn望wàng阙quē拜bài曰yuē：「臣chén不bù能néng为wéi国guó家jiā除chú贼zéi，乃nǎi天tiān数shù也yě！」拜bài毕bì，撞zhuàng阶jiē而ér死sǐ。操cāo令lìng分fēn其qí肢zhī体tǐ号hào令lìng。时shí建jiàn安ān五wǔ年nián正zhēng月yuè也yě。史shǐ官guān有yǒu诗shī曰yuē：

Seeing his victim had passed beyond the realm of punishment Ts‘ao had the slave led in. “Do you know this man, Uncle?” “Yes,” cried Tung Ch‘êng. “So the runaway slave is here; he ought to be put to death.” “He just told me of your treachery; he is my witness,” said Ts‘ao. “Who would dare kill him?” “How can you, the first Minister of State, heed the unsupported tale of an absconding slave?” “But I have Wang and the others in prison,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “And how can you rebut their evidence?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-62

汉hàn朝cháo无wú起qǐ色sè，医yī国guó有yǒu称chēng平píng。

The House of Han showed no renewal, yet one who healed the realm was named Ping.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-63

立lì誓shì除chú奸jiān党dǎng，捐juān躯qū报bào圣shèng明míng。

He swore to purge the treacherous cabal, and gave his life to repay the sage king.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-64

极jí刑xíng词cí愈yù烈liè，惨cán死sǐ气qì如rú生shēng。

Under extreme torture his words grew fiercer; dying cruelly, his spirit seemed to live.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-65

十shí指zhǐ淋lín漓lí处chù，千qiān秋qiū仰yǎng异yì名míng。

Where his ten fingers bled and dripped, a thousand autumns revere his singular name.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-66

操cāo见jiàn吉jí平píng已yí死sǐ，教jiào左zuǒ右yòu牵qiān过guò秦qín庆qìng童tóng至zhì麺miàn前qián。操cāo曰yuē：「国guó舅jiù认rèn得de此cǐ人rén否fǒu？」承chéng大dà怒nù曰yuē：「逃táo奴nú在zài此cǐ！即jí当dāng诛zhū之zhī！」操cāo曰yuē：「他tā首shǒu告gào谋móu反fǎn，今jīn来lái对duì证zhèng，谁shuí敢gǎn诛zhū之zhī？」承chéng曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng何hé故gù听tīng逃táo奴nú一yī麺miàn之zhī说shuō？」操cāo曰yuē：「王wáng子zǐ服fú等děng吾wú已yǐ擒qín下xià，皆jiē招zhāo证zhèng明míng白bái，汝rǔ尚shàng抵dǐ赖lài乎hū？

He then called in the remainder of his followers and ordered them to search Tung Ch‘êng’s bedroom. They did so and found the decree that had been given him in the girdle and the pledge signed by the conspirators. “You mean rat!” cried Ts‘ao, “you dared do this?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-67

」即jí唤huàn左zuǒ右yòu拏ná下xià，命mìng从cóng人rén直zhí入rù董dǒng承chéng卧wò房fáng内nèi，搜sōu出chū衣yī带dài诏zhào并bìng义yì状zhuàng。操cāo看kàn了le，笑xiào曰yuē：「鼠shǔ辈bèi安ān敢gǎn如rú此cǐ！」遂suì命mìng：「将jiāng董dǒng承chéng全quán家jiā良liáng贱jiàn，侭jǐn皆jiē监jiān禁jìn，休xiū教jiào走zǒu脱tuō一yí个gè。」操cāo回huí府fú以yǐ诏zhào状zhuàng示shì众zhòng谋móu士shì商shāng议yì，要yào废fèi献xiàn帝dì，更gèng立lì新xīn君jūn。正zhèng是shì：

He gave orders to arrest the whole household without exception. Then he returned to his Palace with the incriminating documents and called all his advisers together to discuss the dethronement of the Emperor and the setting up of a successor. Many decrees, blood written, have issued, accomplishing nothing One inscribed pledge was fraught with mountains of sorrow. The reader who wishes to know the fate of the Emperor must read the next chapter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

23-68

数shù行xíng丹dān诏zhào成chéng虚xū望wàng，一yī纸zhǐ盟méng书shū惹rě祸huò殃yāng。

A few lines of crimson decree became vain hope; a single sheet of sworn pact brought down ruin.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

23-69

未wèi知zhī献xiàn帝dì性xìng命mìng如rú何hé，且qiě听tīng下xià文wén分fēn解jiě。

But whether the Emperor of Han kept his life or not, the sequel must be told in the next chapter.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated